The North Oxford Kinema in Walton Street was opened in 1913. In 1920 it was renamed the Scala. The building was designed by local architect Gilbert T Gardner for proprietors Richard Henry John Bartlett, W Beeson and Charles Green. In 1930 sound equipment was installed. Subtitled films were regularly shown, which were especially popular with foreign-language students.
Over the following years, it became one of the most important art-house cinemas in the United Kingdom outside London. In 1970 the single auditorium was divided into two, and renamed Studios One and Two. After a change of ownership in 1977, it was renamed the Phoenix. In 1989 the venue became the first of what was to form the Picturehouse family of cinemas. A final addition of the bar in the 1990s brought the cinema to its current configuration.
Please note that peak or altered pricing may apply for certain films, special events and holiday periods. More information on pricing is available in our FAQs and Terms & Conditions.
We add a 70p booking fee per ticket (excluding tickets for Picturehouse Members) to bookings made online or over the phone. This fee doesn't apply to tickets you buy in person at the cinema.
3D films may cost £1.30 extra per person, not including 3D glasses (you can buy these at the cinema for an extra £1, free for Members, or bring your own).
*Family tickets are for four people, at least two of whom must be under 15. Not applicable to premium-priced screenings.
Have a question about our prices? We might have the answer in our FAQs.
All day every Monday (excluding bank holidays), you can enjoy great value tickets with Happy Mondays.
Picturehouse Members get to save even more. Please check Monday listings for details.
Relaxed screenings are specially designed to make cinema-going easier and more accessible to those who may need additional support when they visit. These screenings are ideal for neurodivergent audiences of all ages, those living with dementia, and their families, friends, and carers, but all are welcome.
Relaxed screenings will show films without adverts or trailers. Lights are left on low, the volume is reduced, and the audience is free to move around and take breaks from the screen whenever needed.
We typically show a new release every second Monday of the month.
Whilst we do our best to ensure these screenings happen consistently, please note that on occasion the regular slot may change. Make sure to check local listings ahead of your screening.
The Watch with Baby club is for parents and guardians with babies under one year old.
Watch with Baby at Pheonix takes place on Wednesdays at 11.00.
The Kids' Club is every Saturday at 11.00. Doors open at 10.30.
Join us Thursdays at 11.30 for 30 minutes of episodes for preschool children and their parents and carers.
A great way to introduce your toddler to the experience of the cinema!
New and classic films on the big screen where they belong.
Silver Screen is a free-to-join club for the over-60s.
Members can enjoy free tea or coffee and biscuits at the weekly Silver Screen shows.
Silver Screen runs Mondays-Thursdays before 17.00.
Non-members are welcome - the usual ticket prices apply.
Click here for upcoming screenings.
Bringing world-class productions of theatre, ballet, opera and live music to the big screen.
U25 is for anyone ages 16–25. Signing up to U25 is FREE. Members have access to discounted tickets at any time Monday to Thursday when booked online and via the Picturehouse App only.
We are easily accessible by bus (5-minute walk).
The nearest station is Oxford (15-minute walk).
Please note there is limited parking space in the area. For more information please visit the oxford.gov.uk.
Nearest KIA Charging Station: Franklin, Juxon Street, OX2 6DR (Type 2)
